Wass Wolfpacks Learn to “Be More Kind”

Wass Elementary School recently held their monthly character education Wolf Pack lesson: “be more kind,” and sent their fifth graders to view the movie “Wonder”

What's a Wolf Pack? Wolf Packs are student groups at Wass Elementary School in Troy (home of the Wass Wolves), consisting of three students from every grade level that stay together for all six years, with the same teacher. Each month, one day is dedicated to Wolf Pack activities, focusing on core values and a positive and consistent character education topic. Former Wolf Pack lessons have included Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, and Perseverance. They have also covered anti-bullying strategies, kindness lessons, digital citizenship, reading for enjoyment, math problem-strategies, and team building exercises. “It is a great way to develop consistent expectations and norms for student behavior and learning throughout our school community,” said Wass principal Matt Jansen.

“We have 22 Wolf Packs at Wass,” continued Jansen. "The character education committee develops a monthly lesson for all 430 students.” Fourth and fifth graders take on leadership roles in the packs. They become friends, role models and the best teachers. Oftentimes, they will be paired with kindergarten and first graders during Wolf Pack activities and they always walk the younger students back to class after the Wolf Pack lesson is finished. "One thing I like about working with the younger kids is helping them become leaders like the big kids," said fourth grader Ava Zaccardelli. “Watching these students grow into leaders throughout the years is very inspiring for both students and teachers alike,” continued Jansen.

Jansen’s philosophy of being an elementary principal is to create a positive and safe learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and participating in learning activities, and this philosophy involves every educator in the building. “As a ‘specials’ teacher, I get the privilege to teach all of the students at Wass,” said art teacher Sarah Clos. “I am always amazed by the kindness I see from my students on a daily basis. In art when someone is sitting alone, a student will join them. Students are always giving positive comments about their classmate’s art and words of encouragement when needed. I often have students thank me at the end of the class for teaching them. Wass is a positive and caring place not only for students but for staff as well.”

To demonstrate how people could choose to “be more kind” in our world, each student brought a parent to the lesson with them as they read R.J. Polacio’s picture book, We’re All Wonders. Over 250 parents attended, and it was a great way for parents to see what the Wass Wolves’ Way is all about, and carry it beyond the school walls and into students’ homes. All students had the optional extended activity to see the movie, Wonder, currently in theaters. The book is in the fifth grade curriculum and is used as an objective to learn how to analyze characters in a story. Wass fifth graders went on a field trip to see the movie on Dec. 8 along with five other Troy elementary schools. “It was a great movie, with a good ending, that taught people to see past others’ differences. I’m so glad I got to see it with my classmates,” said fifth grader­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­, Jason Bouna.

Parents are an important part of the Wass Wolves’ Way, and are kept updated on Pack Progress. “My kindergartner started coming home and talking about ‘perseverance,’ and what that meant to her at school,” said parent Jessica Blake. “She also talked about ‘choosing kindness,’ and these are just not concepts you’d expect a five-year-old to grasp. I wonder what her class will look like as fifth graders and beyond, if we are starting these important lessons so early.” But that’s the idea. “I truly believe we need more kindness and acceptance in our world,” concluded Jansen. “Wass students know what it means to #BeWassKind and accept others for the unique Wonders that they are. If we give them this foundation as elementary students, we believe they will continue to grow into successful learners and great citizens.”

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Photos:
First Grade Teacher Team – Kelly Naugle, Karlye Pickelhaupt, Renae Dipzinksi

Ava (4th Grade Student) and Steve (Parent) Zaccardelli, Lulu (4th Grade student) and Gjon (Parent) Thaqi

Fifth grade students watching “Wonder” at the theatre